Adjustable clean-out means



Nov. 15,1966 P. L. mus 3,285,289

ADJUSTABLE CLEAN-OUT MEANS Filed April 20, 1964 INVENTOR. UL l. 777w ,4770E/VE V United States Patent 3,285,289 ADJUSTABLE CLEAN-OUT MEANS PaulL. Titus, Garden Grove, Calif. (14081 Magnolia-Space-ZS, Westminster,Calif.) Filed Apr. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 360,975 3 Claims. (Cl. 138-89) Thepresent invention relates generally to clean-out means, and moreparticularly to clean-out devices for use in a sanitary plumbing system.

In the construction or remodeling of buildings, both residential andcommercial, it is often desirable, if not necessary, to provideclean-out devices which afford access to the plumbing system itself.Such clean-out means is generally installed in the floor of the lowerlevel of the building, as for instance in the basement floor whichusually is made of concrete or the like.

Such clean-out means must provide a hermetic seal between the plumbingsystem and the interior of the building, to prevent sewer gases and thelike from seeping into the building. As such, metal clean-out plugs orplates are threadedly positioned in the end of a clean-out pipe by meansof tapered pipe threads which provide the necessary hermetic seal.

Prior clean-out devices have been of such construction that it has beenextremely difiicult, time consuming and expensive to properly align theclean-out device with the floor during installation. That is, on newconstruction for instance, the plumbing system, including the clean-outdevice, is installed before the concrete floor is poured. At the timethat the clean-out means is installed, it is necessary for the workmanto estimate the probable level of the completed floor and to adjust theclean-out device so that the upper end thereof is flush or even with thefloor after the latter has been poured or formed.

Heretofore, to correct for any misalignment, it has been necessary forthe clean-out devices to be disassembled from the sanitary plumbingsystem by awkward and time consuming means such as the melting of leadedconnections. Also, such prior clean-out devices have necessitated thecutting of certain lengths of pipe whenever it was necessary to alterthe elevation or level of a cleanout device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide cleanout means for asanitary plumbing system which is adjustable by ordinary mechanicalmeans.

Another object of the present invention is to provide adjustableclean-out means for a sanitary plumbing system whereby the elevation ofa clean-out plug can be easily and quickly adjusted as desired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide adjustableclean-out means as characterized above which is self-sealing throughoutthe adjustment of the elevation or height of the clean-out plug.

Another object of the present invention is to provide adjustableclean-out means as characterized above which, in addition to theadjustment means, comprises locking means whereby the adjusted height orlevel of the plug can be fixed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide adjustableclean-out means as characterized above which comprises an O-ring formedof resilient sealing means between two telescopically adjustable pipes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide adjustableclean-out means as characterized above which is simple and inexpensiveto manufacture, and which is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itself,however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, togetherwith 'ice additional objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of adjustable cleanout means according tothe present invention, shown connected to a portion of a sanitaryplumbing system;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of such clean-out means within aconcrete floor; and

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through theclean-out means ofFIGURE 1, taken substantially along line 33 thereof.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is shown therein a preferred embodiment forillustration of the present invention. The adjustable clean-out means 10is shown connected to a pipe or conduit 12 which is part of a muchlarger sanitary plumbing system. As shown most clearly in FIGURE 2 ofthe drawings, the pipe 12 may be vertically positioned beneath thedwelling or building, the major portion of the plumbing system extendingunderground and having connection with the main sewage systern.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 3, the upper end portion of pipe 12 isgenerally flared as at 14 to proyide an annular hub 16. The pipe 12, ofcourse, is tubular in nature and circular in cross section. An annulardepression or cutout 18 is formed on the internal surface of hub 16.

Clean-out device 10 is connected to the upper end of pipe 12 andcomprises a pipe section 20, the lower end portion 22 of which is leadedwithin the hub 16 of pipe 12. That is, the lower end portion 22 isinserted within the hub 16 so that the lower end 24 thereof engages orabuts the annular shoulder 26 which is formed between the main portionof pipe 12 and the hub 16.

Molten lead 28 is then poured into the annular recess 30 between hub 16and pipe section 20. Such lead is prevented from running into the pipe12 by the aforementioned engagement between the lower end 24 of pipesection 20 and the shoulder 26. The annular depression or cutout 18 ofhub 16 permits the lead to form an enlargement which prevents it fromleaving the annular recess 30. Thus, the pipe section 20 is hermeticallysealed in contiguous relation with the pipe 12 of the sanitary plumbingsystem.

Pipe section 20 is formed, at its upper end, with internal fasteningthreads 32. Near the intermediate portion of pipe section 20 there isprovided an annular recess 34 internally of said pipe section. As shownin FIGURE 3, such annular recess 34 is generally square in cross sectionfor receiving a complementally formed O-ring 36.

O-ring 36 is formed of any appropriate resilient sealing material, suchas rubber, plastic or other synthetic materials which are capable ofbeing formed into an endless ring and provide sufficient resiliency forsealing purposes.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the outer periphery of O-ring 36 is provided withcorners approximating right angles to conform to the generally squarecross-section of the annular recess 34. Such arrangement, as willhereinafter become more apparent, prevents the ring 36 from being pushedor rolled out of the annular recess upon adjustment of a tubularclean-out member 40 within stationary pipe section 20.

Member 40, in similar fashion to pipe section 20, is circular incross-section. It is formed with external fastening threads 42 of suchsize and shape as to effec tively and thread-ably mate with the internalfastening threads 32 of member 20. Immediately adjacent the threads 42,tubular clean-out member 40 is formed with a relatively smooth,cylindrical outer surface 44 for sliding engagement with O-ring 36.

with an annular beveled surface 48. Such surface is formed atapproximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal access of clean-out member40 and facilitates insertion of the member 40 within the O-ring 36 uponinitial assembly of member 40 and pipe section 20.

A clean-out plug 50 is provided at one end of clean-out member 40, therebeing mating pipe threads 52 for facilitating removal and replacement ofplug 50 in member 40. Any appropriate tool-receiving formations, asshown at 54, may be provided in plug 50 for facilitating such removaland replacement.

The upper end portion of clean-out member 20 is provided with a suitablethreaded opening for receiving a locking device or set screw 56 which isoperable transversly of the adjustable movement of member 40. Set screw56 is operable to firmly engage adjustment member 40 so as to rigidlysecure the same in fixed position relative to stationary pipe section20.

In the construction of a building, the sanitary plumbing system, ofwhich pipe 12 is a part, is positioned in the ground beneath thebuilding. This is done before the concrete as shown at 60 in FIGURE 2,is poured to form the lower level floor surface 62.

To install the subject clean-out means, pipe section 20 is leaded withinthe hub 16 of pipe12 as hereinbefore .explained. Thereafter, O-ring 36is positioned within the annular recess 34 of pipe section 20. Theadjustable clean-out member 40is then telescopically threaded within thepipe section 20, the beveled surface 48 at the lower end 46 thereofpermitting the member 20 to expand the O-ring 36 so as to be positionedtherewithin. Such expansion causes the O-ring 36'to be forced firmlyinto the annular recess 34 so as to sealingly engage the stationarymember 20. Also, the surface 44 of adjustable member 40 firmly engagesthe O-ring 36 by virtue of the difference in size between the O-ring andthe member 40.

The result of the foregoing is that the O-ring 36 provides a stronghermetic seal between the movable member 40 and the'stationary member 20to prevent objectionable sewer gases from passing therebetween.

Throughout the aforementioned assembly of member 40 on pipe section 20,the set screw 56 is positioned out of engagement with member 40. Also,such initial assembly operation may be performed away from the job siteso that the pipe section 20, O-ring 36 and the adjustable clean-outmember 40 are connected together as shown in FIGURE 3 prior to deliveryof the clean-out means to the job site.

After clean-out device 10 has been connected to the sanitary plumbingsystem, the adjustable member 40 is rotated until the upper surface ofthe clean-out plug 50 is aligned with the probable floor surface to beprovided. The set screw 56 is then locked'in place in engagement withmember 40 so that the latter is held in fixed position.

Subsequently, when the concrete 60 is to be poured, the elevation orheight of surface 62 can be accurately determined by the concretecontractor. Then, the set screw 56 can be loosened and the member 40readjusted relative to the stationary member 20 so as to alteriaccordingly the position of clean-out plug 50. When the new and properposition of plug 50 is obtained, the set screw 56 is returned to itslocking position in engagement with member 40. Thereafter, the concrete60 can be poured "and the floor surface 62 will become aligned with the:upper surface of plug 50. v

It is thus seen that the present invention provides an adjustableclean-out device for sanitary plumbing systems, such clean-out meanshaving sealing means affording an effective hermetic seal throughout theentire adjustment operations.

Although I have shown and described certain sp i 4 embodiments of myinvention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof arepossible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted exceptinsofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. Adjustable clean-out means for use in a sanitary plumbing systemcomprising in combination, a stationary tubular pipe section having alower end portion to be contiguously connected to the plumbing system,said pipe section also having an upper end portion formed with internalfastening threads and an intermediate portion formed with an internalannular recess having a generally square cross-section, a tubularclean-out member inserted within the upper end portion of said pipesection to extend thereabove having a generally uniform external surfaceat the lower end portion and formed with external fastening threadsthereabove for engagement with the threads in said pipe section, aremovable clean-out plug in the upper end of said clean-out member, anO-ring positioned in said annular recess of said pipe section having aportion formed complementally of said general- 1y square cross-sectionof said recess, said O-ring being formed of resilient material andengageable by said clean-out member to eflFect-a hermetic seal betweensaid pipe section and the uniform surface of said clean-out member, saidclean-out member being further formed with a beveled lower end forsliding engagement into said O-ring upon insertion of said clean-outmember in said pipe section, and a set screw threadedly mounted in theside wall of said pipe section transversely of the adjustment movementof said clean-out member to engage the latter after it has been properlyadjusted by operation of said fastening threads.

2. Adjustable clean-out means for use in a sanitary plumbing systemcomprising in combination, a stationary tubular pipe section having alower end portion to be contiguously connected to the plumbing system,said pipe section also having an upper end portion formed with internalfastening threads and an intermediate portion formed with an internalannular recess having a generally square cross-section, a tubularclean-out member inserted within the upper end portion of said pipesection to extend thereabove having a generally uniform external surfaceat the lower end portion and formed wit-h external fastening threadsthereabove for engagement with the threads in said pipe section, aremovable clean-out plug in the upper end of said clean-out member andan O-ring positioned in said annular recess of said pipe section havinga portion formed complementally of said generally square cross-sectionof said recess, said O-ring being formed of resilient material andengageable by said cleanout member to effect a hermetic seal betweensaid pipe section and the uniform surface of saidclean-out member, saidclean-out member being further formed with a beveled lower end forsliding engagement into said O-ring upon insertion of said clean-outmember in said pipe section.

3. Adjustable clean-out means for use in a sanitary plumbing systemcomprising in combination, a stationary tubular pipe section having alower end portion to be contiguously connected to the plumbing system,said pipe section also having an upper end portion formed with internalfastening threads and an intermediate portion formed with an internalannular recess having a generally square cross-section, a tubularclean-out member inserted within the upper end portion of said pipesection to extend thereabove having a generally uniform external surfaceat the lower end portion and formed with external fastening threadsthereabove for engagement with the threads in said pipe section, saidclean-out member also being formed with internal fastening threads atits upper end, a removable clean-out plug formed with external fasteningthreads to engage the internal threads at the upper end of saidclean-out member to be positioned flush With the end thereof, an O-ringpositioned in said annular recess of said pipe section having a portionformed complementally of said generally square crosssection of saidrecess, said O-ring being formed of resilient material and engageable bysaid clean-out member to effect a hermetic seal between said pipesection and the uniform external surface of said clean-out member, saidclean-out member being further formed with a beveled lower end forsliding engagement of said clean-out memher into said O-ring uponinsertion of said clean-out memher in said pipe section, and a set screwthreadedly mounted in the side Wall of said pipe section transversely ofthe adjustment movement of said clean-out member to engage the latterafter it has been properly adjusted by operation of said fasteningthreads.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Hoppes 285302 XRader 285302 Meyerhoefer 285-302 X Geode 285302 X Spool 13889 Quest13889 X Panella 138-89 SAMUEL ROTHBERG, Primary Examiner.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Examiner.

C. HOUCK, Assistant Examiner.

2. ADJUSTABLE CLEAN-OUT MEANS FOR USE IN A SANITARY PLUMBING SYSTEMCOMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A STATIONARY TUBULAR PIPE SECTION HAVING ALOWER END PORTION TO BE CONTIGUOUSLY CONNECTED TO THE PLUMBING SYSTEMSAID PIPE SECTION ALSO HAVING AN UPPER END PORTION FORMED WITH INTERNALFASTENING THREADS AN AND INTERMEDIATE PORTION FORMED WITH AN INTERNALANNULAR RECESS HAVING A GENERALLY SQUARE CROSS-SECTION, A TUBULARCLEAN-OUT MEMBER INSETED WITHIN THE UPPER END PORTION OF SAID PIPESECTION TO EXTEND THEREABOVE HAVING A GENERALLY UNIFORM EXTERNAL SURFACEAT THE LOWER END PORTION AND FORMED WITH EXTERNAL FASTENING THREADSTHEREABOVE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE THREADS IN SAID PIPE SECTION, AREMOVABLE CLEAN-OUT PLUG IN THE UPPER END OF SAID CLEAN-OUT MEMBER ANDAN O-RING POSITIONED IN SAID ANNULAR RECESSES OF SAID PIPE SECTIONHAVING A PORTION FORMED COMPLEMENTALLY OF SAID GENERALLY SQUARECROSS-SECTION OF SAID RECESS, SAID O-RING BEING FORMED OF RESILIENTMATERIAL AND ENGAGEABLE BY SAID CLEANOUT MEMBER TO EFFECT A HERMETICSEAL BETWEEN SAID PIPE SECTION AND THE UNIFORM SURFACE OF SAID CLEAN-OUTMEMBER, SAID CLEAN-OUT MEMBER BEING FURTHER FORMED WITH A BEVELED LOWEREND FOR SLIDING ENGAGEMENT INTO SAID O-RING UPON INSERTION OF SAIDCLEAN-OUT MEMBER IN SAID PIPE SECTION.